Kiddy Pool Theology

We so enjoyed seeing you all at Summer Camp Reunion last night--for those that missed it-we missed you!! You can still catch it on line: Go to: http://www.riverstonesummercamp.tv/ On the bottom of the tv screen, click the "on demand" button. In the new window, click RiverStone Summer Camp 08. Scroll all the way down to Summer Camp Reunion 08.

Let's recap together what the Lord showed us last night through Kevin shall we?

What is kiddy pool theology? They might not have had kiddy pools back in Jesus’ day, but it is what the religious leaders did back then and what we have the tendency to do today. We treat Christianity like a kiddy pool. We treat Jesus as if he lives in Covington or even RiverStone…aka we have to go to the kiddy pool to encounter Him. It’s the mentality that Jesus resides in one place and we have to go there to encounter Him. Can you relate?

When we read the Scriptures, these in particular: Mark 1:14-15, Matthew 6:33, Luke 9:1-2, Luke 10:1, 5-9, Acts 1:3, Acts 28:31, (I'm not going to type those out for you--get into the Word!) we come to know Jesus' core message--which is, the Kingdom of God.

The Gospel tells us that the Kingdom of God is here--Heaven has come to earth. When Jesus died on the cross-it is no longer about the place. It's no longer about going to the Kiddy Pool. It's not about the place-it's about carrying the kingdom--it's about carrying that Kiddy Pool!

Do you worship at home? Wherever you go? Do you carry the Kingdom of God wherever you go? When you carry the Kingdom-people know!

During the past 8 weeks since camp, have you left Jesus in Covington?

Let's take a second and look at Genesis 25:24-34 together.
When we read about Esau and how he sold his birthright (his destiny) for a bowl of lentil soup (ew) we see that he traded everything for just a moment, a single temptation, for an appetite. It's our story too-how are you going to carry the kingdom? Are you going to carry the pool (insert picture of kiddy pool over your head here) or the empty bowl of soup? Are you going to trade your destiny--all that Jesus has for you--your inheritance-- for one temptation, for one bowl of soup-which soon becomes an empty bowl?

The reality of how we value the kingdom is how we carry it. Do we carry His kingdom like an empty bowl of soup that we just simply discard or do we carry it like it is everything to us? When you crave the kingdom more than anything else--stuff happens!

How are you today? Are your arms tired from carrying that kiddy pool above your head? :-) May I encourage you today to carry His Kingdom with every ounce of your being. Don't leave anything on the table. I'm praying the Lord would release you from the rut-the religious routine and the rot-that hold you have on sin. Release it all now at His feet. Let Him speak those tender words to your heart. Lay down that empty bowl and lets see where He takes us!

--kristin